EP0202126B1 - Disposable absorbent articles - Google Patents

Disposable absorbent articles Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0202126B1
EP0202126B1 EP86303703A EP86303703A EP0202126B1 EP 0202126 B1 EP0202126 B1 EP 0202126B1 EP 86303703 A EP86303703 A EP 86303703A EP 86303703 A EP86303703 A EP 86303703A EP 0202126 B1 EP0202126 B1 EP 0202126B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
topsheet
hydrogel
diaper
ion
skin
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP86303703A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0202126A3 (en
EP0202126A2 (en
Inventor
Roger Earl Zimmerer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Procter and Gamble Co
Original Assignee
Procter and Gamble Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Procter and Gamble Co filed Critical Procter and Gamble Co
Publication of EP0202126A2 publication Critical patent/EP0202126A2/en
Publication of EP0202126A3 publication Critical patent/EP0202126A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0202126B1 publication Critical patent/EP0202126B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L15/00—Chemical aspects of, or use of materials for, bandages, dressings or absorbent pads
    • A61L15/16—Bandages, dressings or absorbent pads for physiological fluids such as urine or blood, e.g. sanitary towels, tampons
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/84—Accessories, not otherwise provided for, for absorbent pads
    • A61F13/8405—Additives, e.g. for odour, disinfectant or pH control
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L15/00—Chemical aspects of, or use of materials for, bandages, dressings or absorbent pads
    • A61L15/16—Bandages, dressings or absorbent pads for physiological fluids such as urine or blood, e.g. sanitary towels, tampons
    • A61L15/42—Use of materials characterised by their function or physical properties
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L15/00—Chemical aspects of, or use of materials for, bandages, dressings or absorbent pads
    • A61L15/16—Bandages, dressings or absorbent pads for physiological fluids such as urine or blood, e.g. sanitary towels, tampons
    • A61L15/42—Use of materials characterised by their function or physical properties
    • A61L15/46—Deodorants or malodour counteractants, e.g. to inhibit the formation of ammonia or bacteria
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L15/00—Chemical aspects of, or use of materials for, bandages, dressings or absorbent pads
    • A61L15/16—Bandages, dressings or absorbent pads for physiological fluids such as urine or blood, e.g. sanitary towels, tampons
    • A61L15/42—Use of materials characterised by their function or physical properties
    • A61L15/60—Liquid-swellable gel-forming materials, e.g. super-absorbents
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/84—Accessories, not otherwise provided for, for absorbent pads
    • A61F2013/8476—Accessories, not otherwise provided for, for absorbent pads with various devices or method
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2300/00—Biologically active materials used in bandages, wound dressings, absorbent pads or medical devices
    • A61L2300/20—Biologically active materials used in bandages, wound dressings, absorbent pads or medical devices containing or releasing organic materials
    • A61L2300/21—Acids
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61L—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L2300/00—Biologically active materials used in bandages, wound dressings, absorbent pads or medical devices
    • A61L2300/40—Biologically active materials used in bandages, wound dressings, absorbent pads or medical devices characterised by a specific therapeutic activity or mode of action
    • A61L2300/404—Biocides, antimicrobial agents, antiseptic agents

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to disposable absorbent articles such as diapers and incontinence pads. Such articles are assembled in a manner which renders them especially effective for absorbing discharged body fluids while at the same time lowering and preferably maintaining skin pH within the acid range.
  • Diaper rash is a common form of irritation and inflammation of those parts of an infant's body normally covered by a diaper. It frequently occurs also in areas immediately adjacent to the diapered area. This condition is also referred to as diaper dermatitis, napkin dermatitis, napkin rash, and nappy rash. While certainly more common in infants, this condition is not, in fact, limited to infants. Any individual who suffers from incontinence may develop this condition. This ranges from newborns, to the elderly, to critically ill or nonambulatory individuals.
  • diaper rash or "diaper dermatitis” is a condition which is, in its most simple stages, a contact irritant dermatitis.
  • the irritation of simple diaper rash results from extended contact of the skin with urine, or feces, or both. Diapers are worn to catch and hold the body waste, but generally hold the waste in direct contact with the skin until changed, i.e., in occluded fashion for long periods of time. The same is true for an incontinence pad, or incontinence brief.
  • the body waste "causes" diaper rash, the precise component or components of the urine or feces which are responsible for the resulting irritation of the skin have not been conclusively identified.
  • the foregoing diaper rash model suggests that effective diaper rash control can be achieved by lowering skin pH to values well within the acidic range to inhibit irritation-producing enzymatic activity while simultaneously maintaining the diaper environment as dry as possible. Lowering of skin pH may also be an important factor in providing rash or odor control in other types of absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins.
  • a disposable diaper or incontinence pad suitable for absorbing discharged body fluids while tending to lower skin pH
  • said article comprising a liquid impervious backing sheet, a liquid pervious topsheet and a flexible absorbent core containing hydrophilic fiber material, said absorbent core being positioned between said backing sheet and said topsheet, said topsheet incorporating a source of acidic material in an amount such that said topsheet, upon exposure to discharged body fluid, releases protons in a amount which is effective to lower skin pH to within the range from 3.0 to 5.5
  • said topsheet is constructed at least in part from hydrophobic polymeric non-woven fabric or film material selected from carboxymethylated cellulosics, succinylated cellulosics, grafts of polyolefln with polyacrylic acid or its derivatives, grafts of cellulosics with polyacrylic acid or its derivatives and sulfonated polyolefins, said material containing acidic moieties in an amount
  • the absorbent articles of the present invention can be manufactured in the configuration of wearable disposable products which are capable of absorbing significant quantities of water and body waste fluids such as urine and feces. Such articles are normally in the form of disposable diapers ad adult incontinence pads.
  • the absorbent articles herein generally comprise three basic structural components.
  • One such component is a liquid impervious backing sheet.
  • an absorbent core which may itself comprise one or more distinct and/or separate zones or layers.
  • a relatively hydrophobic, liquid pervious topsheet On top of this absorbent core is placed a relatively hydrophobic, liquid pervious topsheet.
  • the topsheet is the element of the article which is placed next to the skin of the wearer.
  • Especially preferred absorbent articles of this invention are disposable diapers.
  • Absorbent articles in the form of disposable diapers are fully described in Duncan and Baker, U.S. Patent Re 26,151, Issued January 31, 1967; Duncan, U.S. Patent 3,592,194, Issued July 13, 1971; Duncan and Gellert, U.S. Patent 3,489,148, Issued January 13, 1970; and Buell, U.S. Patent 3,860,003, Issued January 14, 1975
  • a preferred disposable diaper configuration for use in the articles of this invention comprises an absorbent core; a liquid pervious topsheet superposed or co-extensive with one face of the core; and a liquid impervious backsheet superposed or co-extensive with the face of the core opposite the face covered by the topsheet.
  • the backsheet most preferably has a width greater than that of the core thereby providing side marginal portions of the backsheet which extend beyond the core.
  • Such a diaper is preferably constructed in an hourglass configuration.
  • the liquid impervious backing sheet and the absorbent core of the articles of this invention can be conventionally constructed. These elements are described in greater detail hereinafter.
  • the present invention is based upon the use of an ion-exchanging topsheet in combination with such a backing sheet and absorbent core.
  • the ion-exchanging topsheets herein are those which release protons upon exposure to body fluids such as urine.
  • Ion-exchange, i.e., proton release, characteristics can be imparted to fiber or film material used to form such topsheets by chemically modifying the polymer structure of the fiber or film to incorporate thereinto acidic functional moieties.
  • chemical modification of polymeric fiber or film material will involve treatment of topsheet fiber or film with modifying agents which serve to incorporate carboxylic or inorganic acid functional groups into the polymer structure of the topsheet material.
  • Suitable chemically modified materials which can be used to form the topsheets of the absorbent articles herein include modified cellulosics such as cotton, rayon, ramie and the like and modified polyolefins such as low density polyethylene and polypropylene.
  • Examples of particular materials of these types include carboxymethylated cellulosics; succinylated cellulosics; grafts of polyolefins such as polypropylene with polyacrylics such as polyacrylic acid, hydrolyzed poly(acrylamides), polyacrylates, and poly(acrylonitriles); grafts of cellulosics with polyacrylics such as polyacrylic acid, hydrolyzed poly(acrylamides), polyacrylates and poly(acrylonitriles); and sulfonated polyolefins.
  • Especially preferred procedures for imparting ion-exchange properties to the topsheet material herein include the direct grafting by esterification of polyacrylic acid onto rayon/polyester fabric and the succinylation of such rayon/polyester fabric material.
  • Direct grafting with polyacrylic acid involves the padding of solutions of polyacrylic acid onto rayon/polyester followed by baking to effect the esterification reaction.
  • Suitable polyacrylic acid materials for this procedure are those ranging in molecular weight from 2,000 to 5,000,000.
  • Polyacrylic acid solutions used can range in polyacrylic acid content from 0.1% to 10% by weight. Such solutions are applied to fabric in a weight ratio of polyacrylic acid to fabric of from 0.02:1 to 2.0:1. Baking to effect esterification will generally occur at temperatures of from 100°C to 150°C for a period of from 10 to 60 minutes.
  • Succinylation of rayon/polyester blends can be carried out by treating the fabric to impregnate succinamic acid, (H2NOC)CH2CH2(COOH), followed by heating of the impregnated fabric to drive off ammonia and leave the succinylated fabric structure.
  • Succinamic acid is generally applied to fabric in a mole ratio of succinamic acid to cellulose OH groups within the range of from 0.25:1 to 2:1. Subsequent heating generally occurs at temperatures within the range of from 100°C to 150°C for a period of from 15 to 180 minutes.
  • topsheet material used in the articles of the present invention, such topsheet material must be modified to the extent that the topsheets themselves have an ion-exchange capacity of at least 0.25 meq./gram, preferably at least 0.60 meq./gram, and most preferably at least 1.0 meq./gram.
  • modifying agents used to prepare the ion-exchange topsheet material, it may be necessary to carry out the chemical modification of the topsheet polymer material in several distinct treatment stages in order to reach the 0.25 meq./gram or higher desired ion-exchange capacity.
  • topsheets containing this relatively high concentration of acidic functional groups are especially effective for lowering skin pH to values within the requisite range of from 3.0 to 5.5 in the presence of discharged body fluid.
  • such topsheets serve to lower skin pH to within the range of from 3.5 to 4.5.
  • such topsheets will maintain skin pH within the 3.0 to 5.5 range for the length of time the diaper is worn, e.g., for at least 4 hours for daytime diapers and for at least 8 hours for nighttime diapers.
  • the ion-exchanging topsheets herein can be prepared by modifying the topsheet fibers or films either before or after such materials have been fashioned into the finished topsheet substrate.
  • the topsheets may be constructed entirely of the modified ion-exchanging fibers or can be formed from both derivatized and non-derivatized fiber material.
  • the topsheets of the present absorbent articles must desirably remain relatively hydrophobic.
  • the liquid pervious topsheet is relatively hydrophobic if it is less absorbent of discharged body fluid than is the absorbent core placed beneath the topsheet.
  • the ion-exchanging, liquid pervious topsheets hereinbefore described are used in combination with a liquid impervious backing sheet and a flexible absorbent core to form the absorbent articles of the present invention.
  • the backing sheet of the articles herein can be constructed, for example, from a thin, plastic film of polyethylene, polypropylene, or other flexible moisture impeding material which is substantially water impervious. Polyethylene, having an embossed caliper of approximately 1.5 mils, is especially preferred.
  • the absorbent core is positioned between the backing sheet and the ion-exchanging topsheet to form the absorbent articles herein.
  • Such an absorbent core essentially contains hydrophilic fiber material as the primary fluid-absorbing medium.
  • the type of hydrophilic fibers used in the absorbent core is not critical for use in the present invention. Any type of hydrophilic fiber which is suitable for use in conventional absorbent products is also suitable for use in the core of the absorbent articles of the present invention. Specific examples of such fibers include cellulose fibers, rayon, polyester fibers. Other examples of suitable hydrophilic fibers are hydrophilized hydrophobic fibers, such as surfactant-treated or silica-treated thermoplastic fibers. For reasons of availability and cost, cellulose fibers, in particular wood pulp fibers, are preferred.
  • the absorbent core of the articles herein will also contain discrete particles of substantially water-insoluble hydrogel material.
  • hydrogel materials are inorganic or organic compounds capable of absorbing fluids and retaining them under moderate pressures.
  • Suitable hydrogels can be inorganic materials such as silica gels or organic compounds such as cross-linked polymers. Cross-linking may be by covalent, ionic, vander Waals, or hydrogen bonding.
  • hydrogel polymers include polyacrylamides, polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene maleic anhydride copolymers, polyvinyl ethers, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, polyvinyl morpholinone, polymers and copolymers of vinyl sulfonic acid, polyacrylates, polyacrylamides, polyvinyl pyridine and the like.
  • Other suitable hydrogels are those disclosed In Assarsson et al., U.S. Patent 3,901,236, Issued August 26, 1975.
  • hydrogel polymers for use herein are hydrolyzed acrylonitrile grafted starch, acrylic acid grafted starch, polyacrylates, and isobutylene maleic anhydride copolymers, or mixtures thereof.
  • Hydrogel material is preferably used in the absorbent cores herein in the form of discrete particles.
  • Hydrogel-containing cores will then be in the form of a web or batt of the hydrophilic fibers with the discrete particles of hydrogel dispersed therein.
  • Hydrogel particles can be of any desired shape, e.g., spherical or semi-spherical, cubic, rod-like, polyhedral, etc. Shapes having a large greatest dimension/smallest dimension ratio, like needles, flakes and fibers, are also contemplated for use herein. Conglomerates of hydrogel particles may also be used.
  • hydrogel-containing absorbent cores used in preferred embodiments of the present invention are expected to perform well with hydrogel particles having a particle size varying over a wide range, other considerations may preclude the use of very small or very large particles.
  • (weight) average particle sizes smaller than 30 microns are less desirable. Particles having a smallest dimension larger than 2 mm may also cause a feeling of grittiness in the absorbent structure, which is undesirable from a consumer aesthetics standpoint.
  • Preferred for use herein are particles having an (weight) average particle size of from 50 microns to 1mm.
  • “Particle Size” as used herein means the weight average of the smallest dimension of the individual particles.
  • the relative amount of hydrophilic fibers and hydrogel particles used in those absorbent articles herein which contain hydrogel can be most conveniently expressed in a weight ratio of fiber to hydrogel. These ratios may range from 30:70 to about 98:2. For most commercially available hydrogels the optimum fiber/hydrogel ratio is in the range of from 50:50 to 95:5. Based on a cost/performance analysis, fiber/hydrogel ratios of from 75:25 to 90:10 are preferred. This preference is, of course, based on the relative costs of hydrophilic fibers (e.g. wood pulp fibers) and hydrogel. If, for example, wood pulp prices would go up and/or hydrogel prices would come down, lower fiber/hydrogel ratios would be more cost effective.
  • hydrophilic fibers e.g. wood pulp fibers
  • the density of the hydrogel-containing absorbent core can be of some importance in determining the absorbent properties of the resulting absorbent article.
  • the density of the absorbent core is preferably in the range of from 0.10 to 0.6 g/cm3, and more preferably within the range of from 0.12 to 0.3 g/cm3.
  • Absorbent cores containing hydrogel particles can be formed by airlaying a dry mixture of hydrophilic fibers and hydrogel particles. Such a procedure is described more fully in Procter & Gamble; European Patent Publication No. EP-A-122042; Published October 17, 1984.
  • hydrogel is employed in the absorbent core, it need not be uniformly distributed throughout the core. In fact, hydrogel can be placed only in one or more layers within the absorbent core, preferably near the bottom of the core. In such a case, the top portion of the absorbent core may consist essentially only of hydrophilic fiber material with substantially no hydrogel present.
  • ion-exchanging topsheets for absorbent articles containing hydrogel particles in the absorbent core is especially advantageous.
  • Many of the preferred hydrogel materials are most effective fluid absorbers when pH at the point of absorption is in the neutral to slightly alkaline range. Addition to absorbent articles of materials which lower pH can therefore adversely affect the fluid-absorbing capacity of the hydrogel.
  • an ion-exchanging topsheet to bring about desirable lowering of skin pH within the acid range, such acid pH effects tend to be more localized in the topsheet area which is remote from the hydrogel material. The absorbent capacity of the hydrogel material can thereby be preserved.
  • a preferred absorbent article in the form of a disposable diaper is illustrated by the drawing submitted herewith.
  • the hourglass-shaped diaper structure of the drawing comprises a liquid impervious backing sheet 101.
  • an hourglass-shaped absorbent core 102 containing hydrophilic fiber material such as wood pulp fiber.
  • discrete particles 103 are distributed throughout the absorbent core 102 of substantially water-insoluble, hydrogel material.
  • an ion-exchanging topsheet 104 Positioned on top of the hourglass-shaped absorbent core 102 is an ion-exchanging topsheet 104.
  • Such a topsheet is constructed from fiber material such as succinylated rayon/polyester which provides the topsheet with an ion-exchange capacity of at least 0.25meq./gram.
  • Such a topsheet will deliver protons to the skin in the presence of body fluids such as urine so that skin pH is lowered to a value between 3.0 and 5.5.
  • This example involves the direct esterification of a cellulosic fabric with polyacrylic acid to form absorbent article topsheets.
  • These treated sheets are cured by baking for one hour in an oven at 110-115°C.
  • the cured fabrics are washed in distilled water to remove "free" polyacrylic acid and are then air dried.
  • the several treating solutions, the amount of each employed and the resulting ion-exchange capacities imparted to the treated sheets are set forth in Table I.
  • Treated fabrics of these types are suitable for use as ion-exchanging topsheets provided their ion-exchange capacity exceeds 0.25 meq./gram.
  • Sheet Nos. 1 and 2 do not have sufficient ion exchange capacity after one treatment to serve as acceptable ion-exchanging topsheets within the context of the present invention. Additional treatments would be needed to increase the ion-exchange capacity of such sheets.
  • a polypropylene topsheet taken from a commercially available diaper product LUVS is sulfonated with SO3.
  • the polypropylene material is treated with a refluxing solution of 3% SO3 in methylenedichloride for one minute. After water washing and drying, the ion-exchange capacity of the topsheet is determined to be 0.38 meq/g.
  • a cellulosic fabric is carboxymethylated with chloroacetic acid in this example.
  • the fabric employed is the 70%/30% rayon/polyester Sontara® used in Example I.
  • Carboxymethylation is carried out in a series of steps which include: (1) reaction with NaOH to form alkali cellulose; (2) reaction with chloroacetic acid; (3) acidifcation in dilute HCl; (4) washing in distilled water; and (5) drying.
  • Sample Nos. 2, 4 and 5 from Table II would be suitable for use as ion-exchanging topsheets in the articles herein.
  • the 70%/30% rayon/polyester Sontara® fabric is succinylated using succinamic acid.
  • the Sontara® fabric is impregnated with approximately 0.02 mole of succinamic acid in water per gram of fabric.
  • the impregnated fabric is then heated in a forced-air oven for two hours at approximately 125°C.
  • the fabric sample is then washed in dilute HCl followed by distilled water and is thereafter dried.
  • Such a procedure provides a fabric suitable for use as a diaper topsheet having an ion-exchange capacity of 1.5 meq/g.
  • a carboxymethylated Sontara® fabric as prepared in Example III is tested for its ability to control skin pH when used as a diaper topsheet in the presence of synthetic urine.
  • the carboxymethylated Sontara® is substituted for the regular topsheet on patches (6.35cm. X 6.35cm.) cut from a commercially available diaper product PAMPERS. Both these modified patches and unmodified patches cut from PAMPERS are soaked with six times their weight of a synthetic aqueous urine solution comprising 1.0% NaCl; 0.03% CaCl2 ⁇ 2 H2O; 0.06% MgCl2 ⁇ 6H2O and 0.0025% Triton X-100 nonionic surfactant.
  • Succinylated Sontara® fabric as prepared in Example IV is tested as a diaper topsheet as follows.
  • the succinylated fabric is used as a replacement topsheet in patches cut from PAMPERS as described in Example V.
  • One such patch is soaked in five times its weight of the synthetic urine solution described in Example V.
  • Another such patch is left dry. These patches are worn on the backs of adult subjects for one hour, and skin pH values are then measured using the flat surface electrode. Results are shown in Table III. TABLE III Wet Patch Dry Patch Unpatched Skin pH 3.1 3.6 4.4
  • a diaper is prepared as described in Buell, U.S. Patent 3,860,003, Issued January 14, 1975.
  • the hourglass-shaped softwood pulp core of such a diaper has the following dimensions: length: 15.5 in. (about 40 cm), width at the ears: 10.5 in. (about 27 cm), and width in the center: 3.75 in. (about 9.5 cm).
  • the topsheet employed in such a diaper is a succinylated Sontara® fabric prepared as described in Example IV. Such a topsheet has an ion-exchange capacity of 1.5 meq/g.
  • Such a diaper is especially effective in lowering a baby's skin pH to within the range of 3.0 - 5.5 in the presence of urine discharged during use.
  • a supplemental insert core containing fluid-absorbing hydrogel particles is added to the diaper structure of Example VII.
  • a supplemental insert core is made with soft wood fibers and acrylic acid grafted starch hydrogel having a weight average particle size of 25 microns ("Sanwet 1M-1000", from Sanyo Co., Japan) in a fiber:hydrogel ratio of 85:15.
  • the supplemental insert core has a basis weight of 0.12 g/in. (0.019 g/cm2) and a caliper of 0.03 in. (0.076 cm), which corresponds to a density of 0.25 g/cm3.
  • the supplemental insert core is covered with a sheet of envelope tissue and cut to a size of 3.5 in. x 15.5 in. (about 9 x 40 cm). This supplemental insert core is inserted lengthwise into the diaper structure of Example VII in between the hourglass-shaped core and the polyethylene backing sheet, the envelope tissue being against the hourglass-shaped core.
  • the ion-exchanging succinylated topsheet in such a diaper is able to provide effective skin pH control while minimizing the lowering of the pH of fluid in the environment of the hydrogel-containing core. Absorbent capacity of the hydrogel in the insert core is thus not significantly diminished by the presence of the succinylated topsheet.
  • the 75% neutralized hydrogel in such structures serves to enhance fluid absorption capacity of the diaper.
  • the acidified hydrogel acts as a pH control agent by releasing protons upon contact with urine.
  • Such acidified hydrogels also provide some fluid absorbing capacity.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Hematology (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Vascular Medicine (AREA)
  • Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)
  • Absorbent Articles And Supports Therefor (AREA)
  • Solid-Sorbent Or Filter-Aiding Compositions (AREA)
  • Treatments For Attaching Organic Compounds To Fibrous Goods (AREA)
  • Laminated Bodies (AREA)
  • Transition And Organic Metals Composition Catalysts For Addition Polymerization (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
  • Nonwoven Fabrics (AREA)
EP86303703A 1985-05-15 1986-05-15 Disposable absorbent articles Expired - Lifetime EP0202126B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US73442585A 1985-05-15 1985-05-15
US734425 1985-05-15

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0202126A2 EP0202126A2 (en) 1986-11-20
EP0202126A3 EP0202126A3 (en) 1988-08-17
EP0202126B1 true EP0202126B1 (en) 1994-11-02

Family

ID=24951646

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP86303703A Expired - Lifetime EP0202126B1 (en) 1985-05-15 1986-05-15 Disposable absorbent articles

Country Status (21)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0202126B1 (ja)
JP (1) JPS6233804A (ja)
KR (1) KR940001377B1 (ja)
AT (1) ATE113482T1 (ja)
AU (1) AU577016B2 (ja)
CA (1) CA1259175A (ja)
DE (1) DE3650117T2 (ja)
DK (1) DK169694B1 (ja)
EG (1) EG17694A (ja)
ES (1) ES294161Y (ja)
FI (1) FI87310C (ja)
GB (1) GB2175211B (ja)
GR (1) GR861237B (ja)
HK (1) HK10692A (ja)
IE (1) IE64373B1 (ja)
MA (1) MA20681A1 (ja)
MX (1) MX168802B (ja)
MY (1) MY101106A (ja)
PH (1) PH23760A (ja)
PT (1) PT82572B (ja)
SG (1) SG102691G (ja)

Families Citing this family (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT1226741B (it) * 1987-08-19 1991-02-05 Procter & Gamble Strutture assorbenti con agente gelificante e articoli assorbenti contenenti tali strutture.
US4842593A (en) * 1987-10-09 1989-06-27 The Procter & Gamble Company Disposable absorbent articles for incontinent individuals
DE3827561C1 (ja) * 1988-08-13 1989-12-28 Lts Lohmann Therapie-Systeme Gmbh & Co Kg, 5450 Neuwied, De
DE4035017C1 (ja) * 1990-11-03 1992-01-09 Otto Tuchenhagen Gmbh & Co. Kg, 2059 Buechen, De
ZA92308B (en) 1991-09-11 1992-10-28 Kimberly Clark Co Thin absorbent article having rapid uptake of liquid
JPH0615620U (ja) * 1992-08-04 1994-03-01 株式会社アーナ 消臭おむつ
US5382400A (en) 1992-08-21 1995-01-17 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Nonwoven multicomponent polymeric fabric and method for making same
US5405682A (en) 1992-08-26 1995-04-11 Kimberly Clark Corporation Nonwoven fabric made with multicomponent polymeric strands including a blend of polyolefin and elastomeric thermoplastic material
CA2092604A1 (en) 1992-11-12 1994-05-13 Richard Swee-Chye Yeo Hydrophilic, multicomponent polymeric strands and nonwoven fabrics made therewith
US5482772A (en) 1992-12-28 1996-01-09 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Polymeric strands including a propylene polymer composition and nonwoven fabric and articles made therewith
IT1267494B1 (it) * 1994-11-10 1997-02-05 P & G Spa Materiale assorbente, ad esempio di tipo superassorbente, e relativo uso.
GB2311727A (en) * 1996-03-28 1997-10-08 Hanson Shaw Beverley Jane Sanitary article with treatment substance
SE511838C2 (sv) * 1997-06-17 1999-12-06 Sca Hygiene Prod Ab Minskning av oönskade sidoeffekter vid användning av absorberande alster med hjälp av pH-styrning
SE513375C2 (sv) * 1998-12-16 2000-09-04 Sca Hygiene Prod Ab Absorberande alster med ett materiallaminat innefattande ett vätskegenomsläppligt ytskikt och ett vätskegenomsläppligt vätskeöverföringsskikt
SE513374C2 (sv) * 1998-12-16 2000-09-04 Sca Hygiene Prod Ab Absorberande struktur i ett absorberande alster, innefattande ett delvis neutraliserat superabsorberande material, samt ett absorberande alster innefattande den absorberande strukturen
SE521431C2 (sv) * 1999-12-02 2003-11-04 Sca Hygiene Prod Ab Användning av en pH-buffrande substans för att förhindra hudinfektioner orsakade av Candida Albicans
GB2369997B (en) * 2000-12-12 2004-08-11 Johnson & Johnson Medical Ltd Dressings for the treatment of exuding wounds
KR101415843B1 (ko) * 2012-11-19 2014-07-09 윤지양행(주) 셀룰로오즈를 이용한 모세관 겔망 구조를 가진 하이드로겔 시트 및 그 제조방법
KR101437082B1 (ko) * 2012-12-13 2014-09-11 한국생산기술연구원 카복시메틸 셀룰로오스 섬유를 함유한 혼성부직포, 그 제조방법 및 그 용도
JP7348460B2 (ja) * 2019-04-24 2023-09-21 ダイワボウレーヨン株式会社 吸収性物品用表面シート、その製造方法及び吸収性物品

Family Cites Families (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1317156A (en) * 1969-06-05 1973-05-16 Boots Co Ltd Babies napkins
US3691154A (en) * 1970-05-05 1972-09-12 Kimberly Clark Co Absorbent fibers of phosphorylated cellulose with ion exchange properties
JPS50150296A (ja) * 1974-05-25 1975-12-02
US3964486A (en) * 1974-08-19 1976-06-22 The Procter & Gamble Company Disposable diaper containing ammonia inhibitor
US4044766A (en) * 1976-02-27 1977-08-30 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Compressed catamenial tampons with improved capabilities for absorbing menstrual fluids
EP0256192A1 (en) * 1986-08-20 1988-02-24 Ethyl Corporation Porous film and absorptive structure
US4543410A (en) * 1982-06-21 1985-09-24 Morca, Inc. Absorbent cellulosic base structures
DK167952B1 (da) * 1983-03-10 1994-01-10 Procter & Gamble Absorbentstruktur, som er en blanding af hydrofile fibre og vanduoploeselig hydrogel i form af saerskilte partikler af tvaerbundet polumert materiale, fremgangsmaade til fremstilling af samme samt engangsble fremstillet heraf
DE3337444A1 (de) * 1983-10-14 1985-04-25 Henkel KGaA, 4000 Düsseldorf Die verwendung von ph-wert regulierenden materialien
PH23956A (en) * 1985-05-15 1990-01-23 Procter & Gamble Absorbent articles with dual layered cores
PH26954A (en) * 1985-05-15 1992-12-03 Procter & Gamble Disposable absorbent articles

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IE64373B1 (en) 1995-07-26
PT82572A (en) 1986-06-01
MA20681A1 (fr) 1986-12-31
JPS6233804A (ja) 1987-02-13
FI87310B (fi) 1992-09-15
DK226386D0 (da) 1986-05-15
CA1259175A (en) 1989-09-12
MY101106A (en) 1991-07-16
FI862009A (fi) 1986-11-16
MX168802B (es) 1993-06-09
GB2175211A (en) 1986-11-26
GB2175211B (en) 1988-12-07
GB8611789D0 (en) 1986-06-25
DK226386A (da) 1986-11-16
IE861282L (en) 1986-11-15
ATE113482T1 (de) 1994-11-15
KR860008744A (ko) 1986-12-18
PT82572B (pt) 1988-03-03
EP0202126A3 (en) 1988-08-17
DE3650117T2 (de) 1995-05-24
ES294161U (es) 1988-04-01
SG102691G (en) 1992-01-17
AU577016B2 (en) 1988-09-08
FI862009A0 (fi) 1986-05-14
HK10692A (en) 1992-01-31
ES294161Y (es) 1988-11-16
AU5741686A (en) 1986-11-20
DE3650117D1 (de) 1994-12-08
FI87310C (fi) 1992-12-28
EG17694A (en) 1990-10-30
GR861237B (en) 1986-08-28
DK169694B1 (da) 1995-01-16
KR940001377B1 (ko) 1994-02-21
EP0202126A2 (en) 1986-11-20
PH23760A (en) 1989-11-03

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4657537A (en) Disposable absorbent articles
EP0202126B1 (en) Disposable absorbent articles
EP0202127B1 (en) Disposable absorbent articles
US4842593A (en) Disposable absorbent articles for incontinent individuals
US4333461A (en) Borated polysaccharide absorbents and absorbent products
US4818598A (en) Absorbent structures
KR100342760B1 (ko) 가요성,다공성,흡수성,중합체성거대구조체및이들의제조방법
US20050031850A1 (en) Superabsorbent polymer particles
GB2175024A (en) Absorbent structure
WO2006020161A2 (en) Surface cross-linked superabsorbent polymer particles and methods of making them
US20050032936A1 (en) Superabsorbent polymers having radiation activatable surface cross-linkers and method of making them
CA2271465A1 (en) Antimicrobial-coated hydrogel forming absorbent polymers
EP1978140B1 (en) Material for acquisition of liquids and disposable absorbent article comprising the material
AU2004264337A1 (en) Superabsorbent polymers having radiation activatable surface cross-linkers and method of making them
JP2001258934A (ja) 吸水剤、その製法及び吸収性物品
JPH0724769B2 (ja) 体液吸収物品
JPH04119154A (ja) 吸収材の製法

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE FR IT LI LU NL SE

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE FR IT LI LU NL SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19890206

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19900921

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE FR IT LI LU NL SE

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 113482

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 19941115

Kind code of ref document: T

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 3650117

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19941208

ET Fr: translation filed
ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed

Owner name: ING. C. GREGORJ S.P.A.

EAL Se: european patent in force in sweden

Ref document number: 86303703.2

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Payment date: 20030331

Year of fee payment: 18

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Payment date: 20030402

Year of fee payment: 18

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 20030403

Year of fee payment: 18

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20030505

Year of fee payment: 18

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 20030506

Year of fee payment: 18

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20030530

Year of fee payment: 18

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20030605

Year of fee payment: 18

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 20030617

Year of fee payment: 18

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20040515

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20040515

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20040516

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20040531

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20040531

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20040531

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: THE *PROCTER & GAMBLE CY

Effective date: 20040531

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20041201

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20041201

EUG Se: european patent has lapsed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20050131

NLV4 Nl: lapsed or anulled due to non-payment of the annual fee

Effective date: 20041201

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.

Effective date: 20050515